Building a sect from scratch.

Chapter 24 Even you with your thick eyebrows and big eyes?
Coach Ren made a casual remark of modesty, then pulled Han Yi to the weapon racks that seemed out of place with the surroundings. Pointing to the various weapons on them, he asked, "Little Han, I noticed you like using spears in the game? Spears are great! The spear is the king of weapons; every inch longer, every inch stronger—that's no joke! But since you didn't start training as a child, you might not have as much energy to practice martial arts later on, so you'll have to carefully consider which one you want to learn first!"

Besides the easily recognizable knives, guns, swords, and clubs, the weapon racks also displayed many strange and unfamiliar weapons that Han Yi couldn't even identify, let alone choose from. For a moment, he looked back and forth across the weapon racks, somewhat perplexed.

Fortunately, Coach Ren understood Han Yi's situation, so he took the initiative to introduce the weapon: "Although the choice of this weapon is in principle based on your wishes, some are indeed not suitable for your situation. For example, this one is called the Golden Melon Hammer. It comes in single and double versions. Don't be fooled by its small size; try holding it—"

As Coach Ren spoke, he picked up the small metal hammer, which was only slightly longer than his forearm, and handed it to Han Yi.

Han Yi tentatively grasped the handle of the golden melon hammer. Before Coach Ren could fully release it, Han Yi was pressed down so hard that he almost fell over.

Han Yi couldn't help but blurt out, "So heavy!"

"It's very heavy, right? This requires a lot of strength training. It's hard for people who aren't born with superhuman strength to get used to it. If it's double hammers, even someone who's trained since childhood wouldn't be able to wield it for very long!"

Coach Ren explained with a smile, then put the golden mace back on the weapon rack, and pointed to some unassuming weapons, saying, "There are also maces, broad axes, and the like, which also require a lot of arm strength. Besides these, look at those other long weapons, the halberd, the spear, and the axe are quite heavy, while the spear is relatively light among long weapons."

Han Yi listened with great interest, then pointed to a pair of strangely shaped hook-shaped weapons and asked, "What are those?"

"The hook evolved from the halberd and comes in single and double hook versions. It is relatively effective against single-handed weapons, especially short weapons, and has considerable killing power, but it is not easy to master."

Coach Ren introduced the weapons, and seeing that Han Yi's gaze had turned to other unusual weapons, he patiently explained them one by one.

"...Don't be fooled by its resemblance to a small sword; it's actually called an iron ruler, also known as a 'hairpin' or 'ten-hand.' It was popular in the Fujian and Sichuan-Chongqing regions during the Qing Dynasty. However, it later spread to neighboring areas and became known as a 'ronin's fork.' It's quite effective against swords and knives, and can be used for close combat as well as throwing. It's very flexible, but like many unusual weapons, it's extremely difficult to master..."

"...That's all we have prepared in the training room for now. So, Xiao Han, is there anything you're particularly interested in?"

Han Yi felt a little dizzy. After thinking for a long time, he asked hesitantly, "Coach Ren... what do you think I'm suitable for?"

"It's most important that you like it yourself," Coach Ren said, and seeing that Han Yi looked genuinely confused, he smiled and added, "However, I see that your physical fitness is just average, but you show great agility in the game—generally, good gamers have fast reaction speeds and good agility, so weapons that require agility are more suitable, such as one-handed swords, Miao swords, and Emei daggers. If you like long weapons, you can also try spears. I saw that you looked quite good using a spear in 'Ten Continents Chronicle'."

Praised by Coach Ren, one of the top martial arts masters in all of China, Han Yi blushed and said embarrassedly, "I was just gesturing randomly..."

Coach Ren patted Han Yi on the back and said, "Don't be modest. I've seen it, and the approach is indeed correct. The routine of the spear is nothing more than using the techniques of picking, chopping, thrusting, and stabbing repeatedly. Although you haven't undergone systematic training, your approach to using the spear is correct."

Han Yi exclaimed excitedly, "So that's how it is! I actually copied the moves from other games, but I just couldn't quite get it right!"

Coach Ren, who was often in the capital, was immediately assigned to this project. Before Han Yi decided to join the group, he had already been given a thorough introduction to the group of players who were about to be "recruited." He even learned a bit about the game characters that Han Yi liked to play. So he said, "Ah, is it Saint's Glory? I've seen that game too. The little characters who use weapons in it are more visually appealing and relatively easier. If you like it, I can teach you in two days and you'll be able to do it. It's very easy."

Han Yi, of course, was unaware of the details behind it all. He only found Coach Ren very approachable and immediately started talking: "Really! I actually tried to recreate the moves from Saint's Glory in 'Ten Continents Chronicle,' but there's no muscle memory in virtual reality games, so I never succeeded..." "Showing off, haha. Your senior sister also likes to show off. She even went abroad to show off a bit recently. She calls it 'street style,' and I heard she has a lot of fans. You can ask her to teach you some cool moves later. They're really beautiful!"

……

Han Yi and Coach Ren chatted more and more congenially, and soon it was lunchtime. Coach Ren and Aunt Wang took Han Yi to the project team's canteen.

The cafeteria was unremarkable, just like an ordinary school cafeteria. The empty hall had about twenty stainless steel tables and rows of chairs, making Han Yi feel as if he had returned to high school.

However, there is only one window in the cafeteria, and the dinner menu is limited to a few dishes: rice noodles, noodles with soybean paste, various stir-fries with rice, and roujiamo (Chinese hamburger). There are also several fruit platters, all self-selected. Although they are free, the variety is not very large.

As a native of N City, Han Yi couldn't handle spicy food very well, and since it was a rare trip to the capital, he ordered a bowl of Zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste).

No sooner had he sat down than he heard a familiar voice coming from behind him.

"Old Han? Or the Great Emperor?"

Han Yi turned his head and saw a more familiar face, one he often saw on the cover of live streams and game forum videos—

"Ergou!?"

"It really is Old Han!"

Wang Ergou recognized Han Yi's voice, grinned, and squeezed in. He greeted Aunt Wang and Coach Ren naturally and started chatting warmly: "Aunt Wang and Coach Ren are here too? Did Old Han get beaten up this afternoon? Or will he only start getting beaten up next week? It can't be just me getting beaten up now, can it?"

Aunt Wang smiled kindly, "Hehe, Xiao Han just arrived, he needs a while to get used to things..."

Han Yi's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets: "Er Gou, what's wrong with your thick eyebrows and big eyes—"

"Go away, go away, who are you calling stupid! I'm a beauty streamer! Hey, why are you only eating a bowl of noodles? Can you even eat that? Let me tell you, the food in this cafeteria is really delicious! Come on, eat more, eat more so you can take a beating tonight!"

As Wang Ergou spoke, he enthusiastically scooped a large piece of braised pork from his mountain of food onto Han Yi's noodle bowl, his tone laced with an undeniable schadenfreude.

……

(End of this chapter)